By Greentech Lead America: WGL Holdings has
installed a Bloom Energy Server at its subsidiary Washington Gas’ new
Springfield Center. The installation will help the facility reduce CO2
emissions by approximately 50 percent.
With this installation Washington Gas now has a solid
oxide fuel cell that converts clean natural gas directly to electricity. Output
from the unit is estimated to reduce CO2e emissions by approximately 50 percent
compared to conventional grid electricity. Washington Gas can also avoid the
enormously inefficient energy losses that occur with conventional grid
electricity.
“The installation of Bloom’s clean energy technology was
a natural decision for Washington Gas and is consistent with our commitment to
environmental stewardship. We will continue to seek innovative, eco-sensible
technologies and process improvements that can deliver both environmental and
economic benefits in every aspect of our operations,” said Terry D.
McCallister, chairman and chief executive officer of WGL Holdings and
Washington Gas.
Bloom Energy claims that the electrochemical reaction
occurring within the server generates electricity, heat, some H2O and pure CO2.
The fuel
cell will provide approximately 35 percent of Washington Gas’ baseload
power needs for the entire facility and will almost eliminate all SOx, NOx and
other harmful smog forming particulate emissions.
“Washington Gas is demonstrating the key attributes of
our product – on-site dependable electric generation with a significant
decrease in greenhouse gas emissions,” said K.R. Sridhar, principal co-founder
and chief executive officer of Bloom Energy.
Springfield Center is targeting LEED Gold certification,
the second highest certification level awarded by the U.S. Green Building
Council. The design and technology used in the new complex help support
Washington Gas’ goal to achieve a 70 percent reduction in its CO2e emissions
from its fleet and facilities by 2020.
Recently, WGL Holdings announced that its subsidiary,
Capitol Energy Ventures, entered into an agreement with UGI Energy Services and
Inergy Midstream, to jointly market and develop a 200-mile interstate pipeline
known as the Commonwealth Pipeline.